Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Richards and Taylor, with the substitution of Councillor Roberts for Councillor Richards and Councillor Bill for Councillor Taylor authorised in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 4.3.

No interests were declared at this stage.

Report of the Internal Auditor outlining the work carried out for the year ended 31 March 2016.

The Audit Committee received the Internal Audit Annual Report and it was noted that issues raised were being addressed and would be brought back to the Committee in progress reports.

RESOLVED – Internal Audit Annual report be approved.

Report of the Internal Auditor following the audit of financial systems.

Members received the Internal Audit report for Financial Systems and were informed that some low risk issues and one medium risk issue had been identified. It was noted that the medium risk related to failure to raise purchase orders prior to receiving goods or service. In response, officers explained that orders often had to be placed urgently, but also that where purchase orders were raised to cover a number of transactions, an additional order may have to be raised on receipt of an invoice. It was noted that the risks had been acknowledged and management would check the processes. Members requested to be kept updated on this matter.

RESOLVED – the report be approved and updates be brought back to this committee.

Report of the Internal Auditor following an audit of the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

The Internal Audit Report on the Medium Term Financial Strategy was presented to the Committee. It was explained that the process had proven to be robust and only one small issue had been identified on the working papers, which had been corrected.

RESOLVED – the report be approved.

Report of the Internal Auditor setting out their risk assessment and internal audit plan for the council.

Members received the Internal Audit Risk Assessment and Plan for the ensuing year. A member expressed concern in relation to fraudulent right to buy applications following a television programme highlighting it as a national issue. In response it was noted that this could be discussed when scoping the sessions for housing or fraud detection. It was further noted that the matter was being considered nationally.

RESOLVED – the report be approved.

Report of the Internal Auditor providing the framework for the conduct of the Internal Audit function.

The Committee was presented with the Internal Audit Charter. Members commended PWC on providing a document which was clear and easy to read.

RESOLVED – the report be approved.

Draft Annual Governance Statement attached.

Consideration was given to the draft Annual Governance Statement and Statement of Accounts and it was reported that no control issues were highlighted. It was explained that the unaudited accounts would be published the same week. Attention was drawn to the new layout of the document.

RESOLVED – the draft Annual Governance Statement and unaudited Statement of Accounts be approved for publication.